Rangers have been warned Red Star Belgrade will arrive in Glasgow on Thursday with two players who would walk into any almost any Premier League side.
Aleksandar Katai and Mirko Ivanic have netted an impressive 38 goals from their advanced midfield positions and have been pinpointed as the main threat to Gio van Bronckhorst ’s hopes of Europa League progression.
Having withstood a barrage of Borussia Dortmund talent including Jude Bellingham, Marco Reus and Thorgan Hazard to secure a monumental victory in the last round, Rangers have proven they can mix it with the best.
But they’ll need to be on their game defensively again when the Serbs arrive in Govan on Thursday, according to Red Star expert Marko Nikolovske who says Dejan Stankovic’s side are once again capable of shocking Europe, three decades on from their greatest moment.
Speaking to Record Sport the former journalist and Red Star PR man said: “Red Star have become a very competitive European club who are capable of winning big matches.
“They don’t play the beautiful football of the 1990-91 European Cup winning side, but it’s competitive football. It’s an experienced side and so anything is possible.
“They respect Rangers a lot. I’m sure they will show up well at Ibrox but whether it’s enough to get a result .. we will see.
“Katai and Ivanic are two great players.
“Both can play Premier League tomorrow morning. Perhaps outside City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
“Katai plays left wing but cutting into the middle. He has lots of goals - 23 this season - and assists to his name and likes to come in as a second plan of attack with lots of good co-operation with Ivanic, Guelor Kanga and whoever is playing as striker.
“He is like the MVP player of football. The only thing is he is no defender! But he doesn’t need to be.
“If he plays the way he can on Thursday then the Rangers fans will enjoy watching him play. He does a lot of his stuff running with the ball.
“But should he not, if you find a good defender to watch him for 90 minutes, then he can get cut off.
“Ivanic is smilar to Katai, good with the ball and finding space, good assists and if he has a chance to shoot from distance he will. He has height and but is very fast and a strong runner with the ball.
“Katai and Ivanic often swap sides during matches.
“Also on the left side is Rodic who we can call the third star of this side.
“He is very offensive and also has great defence. If he has an assignment just to stay in defence because for instance Rangers’ right winger needs to be defended, then he will do a great job.
“Then of course there is Aleksandar Dragovic who was a star at the European Championships for Austria.
“He is a hugely important figure in defence.
“Most supporters are satisfied with this draw because Rangers is a big name and because of the history we have with them from 1990 and 2007.
“The one big disappointment is that the supporters cannot travel in big numbers to Glasgow because of the corona visas. Lots want to go.
“They would have had 2000 no problem. Instead they will have just 20-50 fans who live in Europe and can travel more easily.”
Red Star are in the midst of a fierce two-way title fight with bitter rivals Partizan, much like Rangers back in the Premiership.
They currently sit just two points off their neighbours.
And Nikolovske insists defending their title is the priority over Europa League success.
He said: “Becoming champion of Serbia is the most important thing.
“Playing big games in Europe will always bring out the best of course. It’s a big occasion.
“But if you ask anyone what is most important then they will say the championship.
“The battle with Partizan is very similar to Rangers and Celtic in Glasgow!
“It’s not been going as long but it’s very fierce!”
